2020 Amsterdam > Zurich

8 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Amsterdam

Upon arrival in Amsterdam, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your innovative Emerald Waterways Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting for your arrival.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 - Amsterdam

Every narrow street and gabled façade in Amsterdam tells tales of the Dutch Golden Age, a prosperous time when Dutch art was among the most acclaimed in the world.

Today, you can choose to relax during a glass top canal boat tour through Amsterdam’s elaborate UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system, sailing through the medieval centre of the city and past Roman patrician houses.
Alternatively, embark on a guided bike tour to Waterland, passing quintessential villages, traditional windmills and fields that are bursting with colourful tulips.
Enjoy sailing through the countryside and on towards the Rhine River this afternoon, perhaps enjoying a drink on the Sun Deck and watching the passing scenery before joining your captain for a gala dinner.EmeraldACTIVE: A guided bike tour to WaterlandEmeraldEXCURSION: A canal cruise

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Cologne

With a history spanning two millennia, Cologne is one of the oldest cities in Germany. Set out on an exploration of the past today, as a guided walking tour takes you through the ancient heart of the city, touching on Roman mosaics and the Great St. Martin Church, built on the remnants of a Roman chapel. Your tour will conclude at Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site.EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided city walking tour

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 - Koblenz

Immerse yourself in fairytale-like surrounds today as we cruise to Koblenz, a town with a postcard-worthy backdrop of vineyards and mountain ranges. Your included walking tour of the town will unveil the twin-towered façade of the Church of Our Lady, the point at which two of Europe’s great rivers meet at the German Corner and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, one of the largest preserved fortresses in Europe.
Enjoy sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge this afternoon, where romantic castles sit atop tree-covered canyons and half-timbered medieval villages appear as though they have been suspended in time.EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided walking tour of KoblenzDiscoverMORE: A Moselle & Cochem Castle visit

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Mannheim – Heidelberg

A relaxing cruise past Mannheim will be the perfect start to the day, as you follow the Rhine River to Heidelberg. The idyllic UNESCO City of Literature has inspired the likes of Mark Twain and famed British artist William Turner.
A guided tour of the town will unveil its rich history, starting at the Renaissance ruins of Heidelberg Castle, where carefully curated gardens are still peppered with serene water features, sculptures and colourful flowerbeds. Enjoy a wine tasting session before strolling down cobbled lanes in the old town to see the Church of the Holy Spirit and Heidelberg University, one of the oldest in Europe.EmeraldACTIVE: A hike from Mount Königstuhl to HeidelbergEmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Heidelberg with wine tasting

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Kehl – Strasbourg

This morning, dock in Kehl and be transferred by coach to the picturesque town of Strasbourg, where a medieval past is yours to discover among cobbled squares surrounded by half-timbered houses.
Your included walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town will touch on many of Strasbourg’s highlights, including the astrological signs that adorn the façade of the Maison Kammerzell and the idyllic historic scenery around Petite France. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Strasbourg at leisure.EmeraldPLUS: A guided tour of StrasbourgDiscoverMORE: Tour of Riquewihr (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Breisach

Today, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a postcard-worthy Black Forest destination, a charming village where history is brought to life among furnished farmhouses and outbuildings. Alternatively, embark on a guided hike through the Black Forest, weaving through the woodland and admiring the lush canopy of evergreens.
Later, enjoy a Black Forest gateau demonstration and tasting.EmeraldPLUS: A Black Forest gateau presentation and tastingEmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike in the Black ForestEmeraldEXCURSION: A visit to a Black Forest village

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Basel Disembarkation – Zurich

After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of traditional cuckoo clocks and the Black Forest with you.